Scientific Processes Flashcards
What is an aim?
A statement of the study’s purpose. Research states its aim beforehand.
What is a hypotheses?
A precise and testable statement of the predicted relationships between variables
What are the 3 types of hypothesis?
Research, directional and non-directional
What are the definitions for 3 types of hypothesis?
- RESEARCH: if a non-experimental method is used
- DIRECTIONAL: predicts the nature of the effect of the IV on the DV (can be identified by a qualifying term e.g. higher/lower)
- NON-DIRECTIONAL: predicts there is a relationship/difference between conditions
What is meant when variables are operationalised?
Operationalisation determines exactly how concepts are defined and actioned within a study.
What is the Independent Variable (IV)?
What is manipulated by the researcher
What is the Dependent Variable (DV)?
The DV is measured for changes caused by the IV
What are pilot studies?
A small scale trial run of a study to test any aspects of a design with a view to making improvements and to increase reliability. Problems can be tackled beforehand – could save wasting time and money
When will a sample need to be made?
When it’s unlikely to be able to the test the entire target group (the part of the population you want to study)
What is random sampling?
Every member of the target group has equal chance of selection e.g. all potential participants are numbered – random program selects no’s. or ‘names in a hat’
What are the strengths of random sampling?
Likely to be representative as bias is avoided
What are the weaknesses of random sampling?
It’s not possible to identify all potential members. Therefore there’s no guarantee that it will be random
What is opportunity sampling?
Researcher samples whoever is available and willing to take part
What are the strengths of opportunity sampling?
Practical, quick and convenient
What are the limitations of opportunity sampling?
Unlikely to be representative as we cannot confidently generalise the findings
What is volunteer sampling?
Participants respond to a request advertising research
What are the strengths of volunteer sampling?
It can produce large samples if the research request is broadly cast through a variety of sources
What are the weaknesses of volunteer sampling?
It’s unlikely to be representative as there is a debate as to whether volunteers are more co-operative than the rest of the target group
What are the 3 types of experimental design?
Independent groups design, repeated measures design and matched pairs design
What is an independent groups design?
Each participant only undertakes one condition - either the IV or the control
What are the strengths of independent groups design?
There is no risk of ORDER EFFECTS or DEMAND CHARACTERISTICS because each participants undertakes one condition
What are the weaknesses of independent groups design?
- There may be bias in the characteristics or abilities of participants that affects performance on conditions
- More participants are needed than repeated measures
What is a counter measure of independent groups design?
Participants should be randomly allocated to the conditions
What is a repeated measures group design?
Participants experience each condition
What are the strengths of repeated measures group design?
- As participants act as their own control, individual differences are controlled
- More economic than independent groups design
What are the weaknesses of repeated measures group design?
There are ORDER EFFECTS as the 2nd condition maybe either benefitted by practice or undermined by boredom.
What are the counter measures for repeated measures group design?
Counterbalancing: each condition is tested first or second in equal amounts
What is matched pairs groups design?
- Two different groups
- Participants with a relevant and similar characteristics are paired on that certain variable
- One member of each pair has to be placed in each condition
What are the strengths of matched pairs groups design?
-No risk of ORDER EFFECTS and reduced risk of DEMAND CHARACTERISTICS as each participant undertakes one condition.
What are the weaknesses of matched pairs groups design?
- It can be TIME CONSUMING and COSTLY to match participants.
- Samples may be small which puts into question the RELIABILITY
What is a counter measure for matched pairs groups design?
A pilot study may need to be conducted to identify key variables
Which type of interviews are associated with open or closed questions?
- Open questions = unstructured interview
- Closed questions = structured interview
What are unstructured interviews w/ open questions suitable for gaining?
- Personal info.
- Maximising of participant involvement
- When it’s not of importance to compare responses
What are structured interviews w/ closed questions suitable for?
- Obtaining data that is easy to analyse
- Comparing responses
- To make clear ideas of the questions you want answered
How must questions be designed?
- They must operationalise concepts in a valid way
- Decisions need to made about whether the questions should be open or closed
- Whether there is a fixed choice: the respondent is provided with a range of responses rather than give their own
- Whether to include likert scales - 5-point scale from strongly disagree to strongly agree
What factors must be taken into account when writing a good question?
- CLARITY: The reader needs to understand what they’re being asked
- BIAS: Emotive questions should be avoided because they make people defensive and result in answers that are not true
- SEQUENCE: Starting with easier questions and progressing into more difficult ones eases the participant into the survey
What are the 4 processes involved in content analysis?
- Techniques for the systematic, objective description and classification of images, written or spoken communications e.g. newspapers, TV, film etc.
- The same initial processes apply to content analysis as other methods. The hypothesis must be operationalised, in this case categories into which the content maybe placed or coded.
- The sample may form the context of communication so this must be carefully considered – as perception of its intended audience relates to the presentation of its content.
- It maybe desirable to have more than one person coding the information
What is the BPS Code of Ethics?
- RESPECT INDIVIDUAL AND CULTURAL DIFFERENCES
- COMPETENCE: researcher should have experience to deal with ethical issues
- Participants should give INFORMED CONSENT
- DECEPTION should be used if participants can’t give informed consent
- DISCOMFORT AND DISTRESS: no physical or psychological risk to participants
- CONFIDENTIALITY: Participants details should be kept private
- RIGHT TO WITHDRAW
- DEBRIEFING: Participants should be given a full account of the aims and feedback at the end of the study
- PRIVACY: Observational techniques require an element of privacy for the participant
